AmeriCorps for Michigan Foreclosure Prevention

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Are you interested in making an impact working

right here in the Detroit metro area community?

AmeriCorps Michigan Foreclosure Prevention Corps and Community Housing Network (CHN) are pleased to announce two full-time positions on a 12-month service team beginning in October 2014! This is a great resume builder, and provides the opportunity to be part of the solution to a devastating problem facing every community in our region, while gaining valuable work and life experience.

As the leading provider of affordable housing in Oakland and Macomb counties, CHN is committed to providing services and resources that help people attain and maintain housing stability. In response to the community need created by the lasting effects of the economic downturn in SE Michigan, CHN has expanded its foreclosure prevention counseling and education services. CHN is looking for enthusiastic AmeriCorps members to assist with the implementation of this program in its Troy and City of Wayne offices. These positions work on several activities including outreach, program support, and conducting presentations and workshops. There are also opportunities for networking with other agencies and stakeholders to offer unified and collaborative efforts across the metro area!

Core Responsibilities

Intake and referrals:

• Serve as first point of contact for mortgage and property tax foreclosure assistance inquiries, provide general program and foreclosure process, timeline, Step Forward Michigan, and Michigan Pre-Foreclosure Law information to potential clients
• Send intake packages to prospective clients, assist clients in completing the intake package, and monitor the progress toward receiving completed intakes packages
• Help clients prepare and submit applications for mortgage and property tax assistance through Step Forward Michigan
• Schedule appointments for prospective foreclosure counseling clients to meet with a housing counselor and assist homeowners with completing a pre-counseling checklist
• Provide information to CHN Housing Resource Center callers who request general information on the foreclosure process and timeline
• Refer clients to other mainstream resources and community organizations

Provide education:

• Conduct consumer and community workshops and other foreclosure prevention and assistance educational events
• Facilitate and/or co-facilitate housing counseling program workshops and training, including Financial Education, Credit Management, Home Pre-Purchase, Home Repair and Post-Foreclosure Transition education

Monitor prevention plan progress with clients:

• Maintain regular communication with all active clients, updating case notes on prevention plan progress
• Complete surveys using the standardized survey tool with all clients served in the time and manner required by the MFPC program
• Conduct 6 month exit surveys with all closed-case clients and compile the results to measure the effectiveness of prevention plans

Conduct program outreach to reach potential clients:

• Develop partnerships with community resources including government entities, businesses, human services agencies and schools
• Participate in community meetings and events and promote foreclosure counseling services
• Network with other agencies and stakeholders to offer unified and collaborative efforts across the Detroit metro area
• Participate in the creation and distribution of program marketing materials and tools
• Develop working relationships with the appropriate county treasurer staff members in the geographic area served

Create and Implement a Professional Development Plan:

• Identify current strengths and skills and areas where the member seeks to develop new skills, strengths, and expertise during the service year
• In collaboration with the site supervisor, develop a SMART plan to meet the member development goals
• Meet with the site supervisor on a monthly basis to review plan progress and modify /adjust the plan as indicated.

The member will also be responsible for other essential program- or position-related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Member Service Requirements

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• Members must be 18 years old or 17 with parental permission.
• Members must have either a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Member must possess a valid driver’s license, and have and agree to maintain motor vehicle liability insurance that meets organization minimum requirements throughout their entire service commitment.
• Members must pass criminal history and registered sex offender background checks, including FBI fingerprinting.
• Members must serve 1,700 hours during the 12-month service term.
• Members must participate in all necessary AmeriCorps related activities and trainings.
• Members must fulfill program related requirements, which include but are not limited to: submitting direct service reports and quarterly service highlights and completing semi-monthly timesheets.

Member Benefits

• Members will receive a $12,100 living allowance stipend from the Corporation for National and Community Service for their service activities. The living stipend will be paid by CEDAM in semi-monthly installments.
• Members are eligible for health insurance (member only-family members are not eligible) and childcare assistance.
• Upon successful completion of the 12-month service term, members will receive a $5,645 educational award that can be used toward student loan payments or toward higher education.
• Full-time members also qualify for student loan forbearance during their service and may be eligible to have the interest paid off after service.
• CEDAM, host agencies and the Michigan Foreclosure Task Force will provide training for AmeriCorps members on relevant background information on foreclosure to ensure that they are adequately prepared for service.

To Apply

To apply for this position, please visit https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=46751&fromSearch=true and complete all information requested on the online application. Applications are due Friday August 8, 2014. Applications received after this deadline and incomplete applications will not be considered. This position starts on Friday October 3 rd, 2014.

Questions may be sent via email to cjfelton@chninc.net.